Book excerpt: Renowned silk painter, Mandy Southan demonstrates all the techniques you need to get to grips with this intriguing medium, beginning with clear artistic advice on materials and using colour and then moving on to basic techniques, all shown through 12 lovely, achievable projects. Proceed through textured effects and using resists, discharge paste, diffusing medium, and other products to create scarves, cushions, pictures, wall hangings and panels. Build skills while producing lovely silk paintings in a variety of styles. Perfect for the complete beginner but also ideal for experienced silk painters wanting to learn new techniques.